Oral health is intricately connected to the rest of the body. Not just a conduit for food and drink - what goes on in the mouth affects the heart, joints, gastrointestinal system and the immune system. A guide to coping with mouth symptoms such as bad breath, canker sores, oral thrush and gum disease. Also, a personal essay on living with the painful condition called Burning Mouth Syndrome.

Sound Body

Sound Body #2121: What Your Mouth Is Trying To Tell You, 05/21/21

The Blackwell sisters were the first (Elizabeth) and third (Emily) female doctors to practice medicine in the United States. Rejected by more than a dozen medical schools, Elizabeth was accepted at Geneva Medical College in New York state only as the result of a prank. The sisters went on to help establish the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children in 1857.

Sound Body #2120: The Blackwell Sisters, 05/14/21

Many of those who beat Covid-19 are now experiencing a range of troubling chronic symptoms - not just lung issues from the respiratory effects of the virus. Long term medical problems can affect any organ system or part of the body, from neurological to cardiovascular to gastrointestinal.

Sound Body #2119: Long Haul 05/07/21

Getting hooked on gambling, sex, shopping, video games and other behavioral vices is every bit as overwhelming and life-destroying as getting hooked on alcohol and drugs. Compulsion Without the Chemicals looks at the latest brain research, and offers ideas for how to get help with any compulsion that stopped being fun long ago.

Sound Body #2118: Compulsion Without Chemicals, 04/30/21

Once only the concern of royalty and privilege - A New Yorker article looks at the importance of correct posture for everyone, and reviews retail "posture correctors".

Sound Body #2117: Up Right 04/23/21

For a species wired for survival, we have an odd habit of getting addicted to things that can kill us. New research is revealing why - and opening the door to desperately needed cures.

Sound Body #2116: The Science of Addiction 04/16/21

Ancient wisdom and recent research show that we can breathe better - enhancing our athletic performance and overall well-being along the way. Many exercises for different types of breathing are highlighted, as well as the importance of learning to breathe mostly through the nose instead of mouth breathing.

Sound Body #2115: Every Breath You Take 04/09/21

Why aren’t dentists a separate branch of medicine - like cardiology or dermatology? Bad oral health has been linked to heart problems, diabetes and cancer. Also, is Covid-19 causing teeth to fall out in some long haul survivors? Also, copying with dental anxiety.

Sound Body #2114: Tooth Talk 04/02/21

42% of the American population is obese, yet fat bias continues to create negative outcomes at the doctors office. Patients put off going to a health care provider when they fear being shamed for their weight. Doctors misdiagnose patients because of their bias and ignore symptoms that may have nothing to do with obesity. Public health initiatives, and medical research continue to suggest that losing weight will create better health outcomes, while ignoring the long-term failure of this approach.

Sound Body #2113: A Weighty Issue 03/26/21

O, the Oprah Magazine, describes fear as inevitable. “Life gets scary sometimes. But although you can’t escape fear, you can manage it, conquer it, and even befriend it with this wise advice”. Articles on how to fear less and live more.

Sound Body #2112: Fear Less 03/19/21

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is an at-home test for colon cancer is a pleasant alternative to colonoscopy for lower-risk patients. FIT is safer than a colonoscopy, with a lower risk of complications and Covid-19 exposure, and does as good a job. Colon and rectal cancer is on the rise in younger people - prompting the American Cancer Society to lower the screening age for colorectal cancer to 45 for people with average risk. Also, Dr. Mike ranks the most and least accurate Medical TV shows.

Sound Body #2111: A Colonoscopy Alternative 03/12/21

Experience L!fe magazine has the stated mission of “empowering people to become their healthiest, happiest, most authentic selves, and supporting a balanced, deeply satisfying way of life”. Readings from the January/February 2021 issue include articles on how exercise may prevent or slow vision loss; how fear is an expression of our love of life, and embracing vulnerability can help us face fear; how giving up sugar for a year provided one man with many health benefits, including weight loss.

Sound Body #2110: Life Experience, 03/05/21

A personal essay written for the New Yorker about living with a spouse who experiences hallucinations due to Lewy Body Dementia. Poet John Matthias cares for his wife of 50 years as she hallucinates more and more, sleeps and eats less, and ultimately arrives at an assisted living facility during Covid-19.

Sound Body #2109: Living With A Visionary, 02/26/21

Our lungs are fragile organs open to the outside world that guard us against pathogens, allergens and pollutants. But even with their ultimate importance to provide the breath of life - it is still public health initiatives that protect our lungs more than any medicine or treatment yet available. The novel coronavirus is only the latest challenge after many outbreaks of tuberculosis.

Sound Body #2108: Breath Taking 02/19/21

With better pain relief, customized ball-and-socket joints, refined scanning tools and increased use of robotic surgery - replacing a hip is not the fearsome thing it was once, or even what it was 10 years ago. Also, an article outlining what happens on the day of hip replacement surgery, and in the recovery period after surgery.

Sound Body #2107: Hip Hip Hooray 02/12/21

Sound Body is a weekly program of information to help you manage your overall health and well-being. Topics have included Migraines & other headaches, Diabetes diagnosis & tips; Dental Health; Mental Health & Aging; Lowering Cholesterol; The Elephant Cure; Nutrition & exercise; Health Care Proxies and Living Wills.

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